The script around this visit was already giving and taking, but according to the information of the American newspaper, the decision is now made: the US president will go to Riyadh this month to try to restart the bilateral relationship, as he “seeks to drop fuel prices “in his country” and to isolate Russia on the international stage.
Joe Biden will travel to Saudi Arabia in June, where he will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, rescinding his commitment to turn the Sunni kingdom into a “pariah” and not even talking to his controversial de facto leader. New York Times report published yesterday Thursday.
The script around this visit was already giving and taking, but according to the information of the American newspaper, the decision is now made: the US president will go to Riyadh this month to try to restart the bilateral relationship, as he “seeks to drop fuel prices “in his country” and to isolate Russia on the international stage.
“He will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman” and other leaders of Arab countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, the newspaper added.
According to the Times, the details and the timetable remain to be confirmed, however, the visit will be added to the trip that Mr. Biden was already planning to make at the end of June in Europe and Israel.
CNN also reported that preparations for the meeting were advanced.
“The president is looking forward to being given the opportunity to engage in dialogue with Middle Eastern (countries) leaders, but I have nothing to say today,” said White House spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre.
Prior to his election, Biden ruled that Saudi Arabia should be treated as a “rogue state” over the assassination of journalist Jamal Kasogi at the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul. After taking power, the Democrat released in February 2021 the report of the American intelligence services that accused the so-called MbS of “approving” the murder.
Washington was then talking about “reviewing” the relationship with its privileged partner in the Gulf, about changing the page of close cooperation during the presidency of Donald Trump, but things did not reach a rupture. Mr Biden’s entourage explained that the US president was to speak only with King Salman and not with the prince, the privileged interlocutor of his Republican predecessor.
The United States has stepped up its efforts to end the war in Yemen, in which Saudi Arabia, in 2015, led by a military alliance, backed the government and prevented the victory of Shiite Houthi rebels loyal to Iran.
The decision to travel to Saudi Arabia – if confirmed – follows an extension for another two months of a fragile ceasefire in Yemen. Joe Biden praised Riyadh’s “courageous leadership” in this regard yesterday.
It also follows the decision of OPEC + to increase oil production, after months of waiting and rising prices, which was seen as a response to calls from the US and other Western countries.
